Oregon and Washington by F. H. Westphal

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 1, 1902

Oregon and Washington

By F. H. Westphal

It was my privilege to attend the camp meetings at Pendleton and Portland, Ore., in the interest of the German people. There were but few Germans present at the Pendleton meeting, as they expected me to be present at their meeting the tenth of June. This could not be, so I visited them in Washington, at Endicott and Farmington, and held four meetings. The Lord blessed the word spoken. Some came twenty miles to Endicott to listen to two discourses. The public-school house was filled with attentive listeners.

We had a better representation of German brethren at Portland than at Pendleton, but one thing was very marked. Most of our people live in the city of Portland itself, and have lived there for several years. As the result, nearly all the young people have gone into the world. There were from forty to seventy-five in attendance, all of whom, with two or three exceptions, were from forty to seventy-five years of age. It is truly time to move out of the cities with the children and young people. At Pendleton most of the Germans in attendance were young persons. Quite a number of them are planning to go to school, and then enter the Master's work. We were very thankful for this.

We spoke of the South American field, and the few Germans at Pendleton donated over twenty dollars for the Entre Rios (Argentina) school. We addressed the audience in the large tent once, and some said they would like to help with their means. If any reading these lines wish to help the school in the province of Entre Rios, Argentine Republic, they may send their donations to the Mission Board, Battle Creek, Mich., or to me, at College View, Neb. The school in Entre Rios is struggling along, and is doing a good work, but it needs some financial help. At Portland our American brethren gave about sixty dollars; the Germans gave a little; and altogether we received nearly one hundred and forty dollars. I sent this to the Mission Board to be forwarded to the school in Argentina. I can assure you, dear brethren, that this money will be appreciated by those in the field there, and we thank you heartily.

I met our dear brethren, H. W. Decker and A. J. Breed. Through Brother Decker's labors I received the truth twenty-three years ago. In company with Brother Breed I first entered the work by canvassing. Brother Knox, the president of the union conference, was full of hope and courage. Brother J. O. Corliss did considerable of the preaching in English. His voice sounds just as it did twenty-two years ago when I met him first at Portage, Wis. The truth is just as precious as it was then. Brethren C. C. Lewis and M. E. Cady called the young to enter our schools and prepare for the work. Several of the sanitarium doctors were also present, and encouraged young persons to enter the medical work.

Soon we shall have an army of workers in the field, and the work will close up gloriously. We need now to take fresh courage, and work and pray as never before. Dear brethren, remember to speak a word to that young brother or sister who speaks the German language, to attend the Union College next fall, winter, and spring to prepare to labor among the German people. To

leave the Germans unwarned, will delay the coming of the Lord. Let us work the entire vineyard alike, as no part should be neglected. We expect a large attendance during the coming school year. Union College offers good opportunities for those who desire to prepare for the work in the German language.

F. H. WESTPHAL